Packers Make Surprising Decision About Jordy Nelson

Jordy Nelson’s time in Green Bay is probably over. The team’s general manager has confirmed a report that the Packers will cut the former Pro Bowler.

Nelson has been Aaron Rodgers’s favorite target for virtually their entire careers with the Packers. In 2014, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and named a second-team All-Pro.

That year, he posted career highs in catches (98) and receiving yards (1,519), and hauled in 13 touchdown catches. In total, he has eclipsed 1,200 yards four times, and has three seasons of double-digit touchdowns.

Nelson went down during the 2015 preseason with a torn ACL, costing him the entire year. He bounced back for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2016, but struggles this past season without Rodgers under center.

Nelson played in 15 games, catching 53 passes—his lowest mark since 2012—and six touchdowns, his fewest since 2010.

Adam Schefter was the first to report that Jordy Nelson will be released.

Shortly after the news broke, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst issued a release about the longtime star receiver. Schefter posted it to his Facebook page:

“We cannot thank Jordy enough for all that he has given the Green Bay Packers and our community for the past 10 years,” Gutekunst said. “He has been an exemplary professional and teammate and greatly contributed to our success. Jordy will always be a member of the Packers family and we look forward to his eventual induction into the Packers Hall of Fame. We wish Jordy, his wife Emily, and the rest of their family all the best.”

Initially, there was some speculation that Nelson could return to the team on a smaller deal. That release, and this note from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel beat reporter Tom Silverstein, make it clear that will not be the case.

The fact #Packers WR Jordy Nelson was released means his career with them is over. If they intended to bring him back at lower cost they would have changed the existing deal.